WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2055, 5 August 1875, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

Wednesday, 5 p.m. Mr O'Neill moved—" That, in the opinion of this House, the duty on Australian wines should be reduced to one shilling per gallon. He reminded the Commissioner of Customs that last year he promised the matter should receive the early consideration of the Government. The hon. member pointed out that, amongst the various articles mentioned in the correspondence regarding reciprocity that was laid before the House, Australian wines were not mentioned. He regretted this, because he held that the importance.of pure Australian twines wouldido?more; for; tjhe sobriety :of the* country than ■ anything else. The hon. member. read extracts from various reports on the wholesomeness of colonial wine, and its beneficial effect in superseding the use: of alcoholic^ liquors and highly fortified wines. .■■; /" Mr Reynolds explained that: the; 00-: vernment had communicated^with,:the various Australian colonies, but had not received any satisfactory or conclusive reply. The question was a serious one for the Government, as it would liave considerable effect upon "the revenue; of. the colony. There were also difficulties of another kind to bo overcome if the motion was agreed to. ..;.".".,- Mr Reader Wood supported the motion of the hon. member for the Thames.. He utterly failed to. see why, if theytxjon^ sidered it advisable, they could not allow Australian wine to be imported at. one shilling per gallon duty. Why not,do. sa without referring to reciprocity treaties or to any other colony. Instead of being an advantage to other colonies it would be an advantage to this colony by enabling our people to get good liquor cheap instead of at present, paying dejwr^r for bad liquor.:: As to any losW^ffce^ revenue, he believed the revenue liro-tt^d be increased. The present cohsttniptidJi of Australian wines was so vety little here that he did not think it would malice a ten pound note difference in the year,, Mr O'Connor opposed the motionj as itwould open the way to much deception; besides, there were many people in New Zealand just now trying their hands at the manufacture of wines here, and to allow Australian wines to be imported at the duty asked for would be an injustice to a young industry. . • , Mr Murray objected to the motion being, agreed to. : Mr J. Sheppard moved an amendment, I making the motioli apply not only to Australian wines, but all light wines.

Mr Bowen said if the Government could see their /way to do so they would gladly lower or take off the duty on Australian wines or any other commodity. There was no justification for any tax, except upon the ground of revenue, and that was the only consideration which guided the Government. Mr Buckland and Sir Cracroft Wilson hoped the motion would be withdrawn. Mr O'Neill, said, as the Government objected to the motion in its present -form, he would accept the amendment of the hon- member for Waimea, and on that would take a. division v " : : . \;' "■./

The amendment was then put. - . -: • . Mr D.lleid regretted that.the Government saw fit; to oppose a motion which all seemed toagree ;would not. r seriously affect the revenue. He fully believed that the/importation of light wines would be a great boon to the people in furnisjijug them with a wholesome beverage.. ; Mv G^bb.B ga?d it would be better to make reductions in the nepessaries before they-madeTeductions upon lu^ri(es. 7 5Cr Swjanson'thought they ought to make a good selection in what they reduced the duty upon. Spe.aking for his own constituents, he could say that fchp tax upon corn flour and bread pressed very heavily upon them. From j^j^ appeared in the i linaucial f J,|i||jjjj^M

was a perfectly scandalous taxation on the necessaries of life, and ought to be reduced.

Mr Luckio saiJUthat was all very well, but they must riot lose sight of the fact > that, large provision Jbad to be.^made to ] -m?eth|bd; :Spst vtiifettieip irailwaysi:and;ifvj they llld a;?lull §frasujig|. it; woul^e daH \ '$Ue i^njegin leßseningiany';■ particular mix ] yet a^ilev,' N Hic'lcoß^i^ored the;!;niotion | irioppbrtfune, though Ke" hoped the tim& ; | would come when we might go in i for such things. In the course of his, remarks Mr Luckie had occasion to refer by«way«of tillustration' -to direct-and in^ direct taxation, and instanced the unp^pplarity of ; the! income'tax in England,, but was checked by tho Speaker as traN'eHm^^^nto^irrclißvaat"" mattex'l^'^Mr ljuckie expostulated upon beinp lirought 'utf- ia that way when not travelling outside the legitimate bounds of debate, and intimtt|;edsthflit the mepibfer M* the|Hulbt arid 'for-AubkiandGity West were 'allowed, •time after time, to break through the forms ■of; tlie House Regarding, debate, without ■^ping'checkedi"'.^ ' : \\.S\ :- .?., "Mr Sheehah followed by saying that the Speaker did accord more latitude, and justly so, to Jdistitiguish&l members pf the liouse than to the small fry. i(Gries.of"No, : npi'" and,. K^y H'') He addressed hiniseljF to the- question : ;under discussion, and said the people would ■drink, and; if they could; not : get good-l ,beers and liquprsi theyJwpi^dvdririk bad, :-Tb6:""matter what^he;Hoiise:sjiid. And he; felt that cheap light wines would:,be a great boon to the public. He hoped as division would be taken. , ' f* n ■>: ;

■ ■ Major Atkinson;wduld be?- very, sorry for it to go forth to the country that they, 'were in a position to reduce taxation,.arid that the jfirst iteni| fleeted should be a commodity of "which persons in their poiition were the greatest comsumiprs; The question of taxation should not be dealt with piecemeal. They ought io'djsalj with it in .a-bfoa'd and comprehensive "form.: : : r"v -■■■i>!. ••■•.•■ ■ m..:.:-:.:>

A division was then called for, beiiig the first during the session: For-Vthe : motion, 12; against it, 43. , ;^"5;^C